Like for most, post-MFA life has been a constellation of experiences. The first six months were a rapid fire of exhibition after exhibition, two (incredibly!) life-changing residencies, and a steady stream of publications featuring both my writing and art. Many of you know that I recently underwent a grueling, cross-country move. The second six months have been almost fully consumed with the move and adjusting to life on the coast, along with a couple of time-busting curatorial projects...and all of this has left me completely exhausted.

One day at a time, I'm beginning to make new work again. Little by little, I'm starting to get some rest, and my health is taking incremental steps forward. Moment by moment, the dust is settling. California is a region that is so rich in diverse landscapes, and being a soul that is very tied (Freudian slip -- I originally typed 'a soul that is very tired') to the land and water, there is so much here to fill an almost dry well.

In this time of transition, I have the good fortune to be a part of Galaudet Gallery's summer exhibition -- Sense of Place: HERE. Mike Milewski, the gallery co-owner and curator, emailed me earlier this week with the press release. I am including that here (in downloadable PDF format), along with a couple of the works currently featured in the gallery. Please take a bit of time to visit the gallery website, Facebook page and read the press release. Galaudet Gallery has been excellent to work with; they included my work in their summer 2017 exhibition as well. In addition, they consistently offer a wide range of exhibitions with thoughtful themes and foster an atmosphere of kindness and support. This short and mixed post does not do them justice, so in the coming days, please watch for a more comprehensive post singing Galaudet's praises.

If you are celebrating the 4th of July today, I wish you peace and rest.

Art 7 Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas is currently exhibiting its annual Small Works Show from March 3rd - April 3rd. 2018. The curator this year is art and design professional, as well as Art 7 Gallery manager, Karen Fulton. For more information on Art 7 Gallery: Small Works Show, please visit this website.

On January 6th, 2018, I'll begin the EBLAR 2018 artist residency in Elephant Butte Lake State Park, New Mexico. I am looking very forward to this opportunity to dive into more painting and video work, as well as connect with fellow artists in this peaceful and beautiful setting. Resident artists will also have a group exhibition in January -- details to come.

I write this blog post still in the midst of coming down from my MFA thesis exhibition and many years of intense artistic and scholarly study. In a sense, my body and mind are depleted and slowing rebuilding themselves. Simultaneously, I am grateful and fortunate to have been filled with a repository of knowledge and a strong skill set in a wider range of art disciplines, including performance, poetry and video.

The video below is from my MFA thesis installation (What We Have Built: Expatriate, Sense of the Definite and Weight of Experience).

I am honored the have the opportunity to recreate this installation in an upcoming exhibition of digital, video and new media-based art in Chicago in the Twisted Oyster Film Festival at 33 Contemporary/Art NXT Level. This exhibition, which will take place in October and November 2017, was curated and spearheaded by the amazing Pia Cruzalegui, a contemporary artist and curator based in Chicago.

In addition, Pia has given me the opportunity to lead and teach an art education program on October 21st, 2017 to students in Chicago. In future blog posts, I'll provide further details (and documentation!) of these upcoming events.